Heavy Jet Charter
A heavy jet is the aircraft that turns a long-haul trip into a single flight. It carries ten to fourteen in a large-cabin layout, crosses an ocean without stopping, and gives a full party room to work, eat and sleep on the way. For a European brokerage, it is the class that opens the routes a super midsize cannot reach nonstop — the US East Coast, the Gulf and most of the Middle East from a European ramp. It is one of the cabin classes we arrange for private jet charter in Europe.
We arrange these aircraft through certified operators. We do not operate them ourselves — which means we recommend the right tail for your route rather than the one we happen to own.
At a glance
- Passengers: 10–14
- Range: 3,500–5,000+ nm (roughly 8–11 hours)
- Cruise: 500–560 mph
- Cabin: large-cabin, stand-up, full galley, enclosed lavatory, often a separate cabin zone
What a heavy jet is
A heavy jet sits above the super midsize and below the ultra-long-range flagships. It takes the stand-up cabin and transcontinental range of the class below and adds the long-haul legs, the larger party, and the cabin space to live aboard for the length of an ocean crossing. This is the class most clients reach for when the trip is intercontinental and the cabin is full.
In practice it means full standing height throughout, a galley sized for a real meal service, an enclosed lavatory, and on most tails a cabin divided into zones — a place to work and a place to rest on the same flight.
Range — what it clears across Europe
This is where the class earns its place. From a hub like London or Geneva, a heavy jet reaches the US East Coast, the Gulf and most of the Middle East nonstop. London to New York, Washington or Boston is a genuine nonstop on this class. Paris to Dubai, London to Athens, Doha or Riyadh is comfortable. Across Europe and North Africa it flies anywhere with range to spare.
There is a real limit, and we state it plainly. A nonstop crossing to the US West Coast — Los Angeles, San Francisco — is at the edge of or beyond this class depending on payload and winds, and usually wants a fuel stop. For a guaranteed nonstop to the West Coast or the Asia-Pacific, you move up to an ultra-long-range jet, and we will tell you so before you book.
Cabin and comfort
The cabin runs roughly 25 to 50 feet long with full standing height throughout. Seating is large-cabin for ten to fourteen, typically arranged in two or three zones — a forward club, a conference or dining grouping, and a divan that converts for rest. A full galley supports a hot meal service, and the lavatory is fully enclosed. Baggage capacity is generous enough for a full cabin travelling for a week or more, with much of it accessible in flight.
It is a cabin built to be lived in across eight or ten hours, which is exactly what an intercontinental leg asks of an aircraft.
The aircraft we charter
We hold access to the full heavy-jet class through our operator network. These are the tails we arrange most often.
| Aircraft | Passengers | Range (nm) | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bombardier Challenger 605 / 650 | 10–12 | ~4,000 | The widest cabin in the class; transatlantic-capable |
| Gulfstream G450 | 12–14 | ~4,300 | Proven long-haul workhorse; tall, quiet cabin |
| Gulfstream G550 | 12–14 | ~5,000+ | The longest legs here; reaches into ultra-long-range territory |
| Dassault Falcon 900LX | 12–14 | ~4,700 | Three-engine efficiency; short-field access |
| Dassault Falcon 2000LXS | 10 | ~4,000 | Large cabin with notable runway flexibility |
| Embraer Legacy 600 / 650 | 13–14 | ~3,900 | The most cabin and baggage for the running cost |
Ranges are representative, with reserves, and vary with payload and winds. See our full fleet for every cabin class.
What drives the price
The heavy jet sits above a super midsize and below an ultra-long-range flagship on running cost. What you pay for a specific trip moves with the aircraft, the routing, repositioning, and crew and landing fees, which is why a quote, not a rate card, is the honest answer.
For how charter pricing is built up, see what charter costs. To choose between cabins on range and size, see which cabin to choose, or request a quote for your route.
Is a heavy jet right for your trip
It is the right aircraft when you are flying:
- Ten to fourteen passengers who need room to work and rest
- Intercontinental — the US East Coast, the Gulf or the Middle East nonstop from Europe
- Eight hours or more, where a separate rest zone and a full galley matter
- A trip where the whole party travels together in full comfort, not just the principals
If you are flying eight people across Europe or to North Africa, a super midsize will cost less and serve you just as well. If you need a guaranteed nonstop to the US West Coast or the Asia-Pacific, you want an ultra-long-range jet. Our guide to the private jet types sets out how each cabin compares on range and size. We will match the aircraft to the trip — not the other way round.
Request a quote · Compare cabin classes
Frequently asked questions
How many passengers fit on a heavy jet?
Typically ten to fourteen, in a large-cabin layout often split into two or three zones. Twelve travelling with full baggage is the realistic planning figure for a long intercontinental trip.
How far can a heavy jet fly nonstop?
Most cover 3,500 to 5,000-plus nautical miles — roughly eight to eleven hours. From Europe that is a genuine nonstop to the US East Coast, the Gulf and most of the Middle East. A nonstop to the US West Coast is at the edge of the class and usually wants a fuel stop.
What does it cost to charter a heavy jet?
There is no rate card. The figure for a specific trip depends on the aircraft, routing, repositioning and fees, so we quote each trip individually. Tell us your route and an advisor replies with clear options.
Heavy jet vs super midsize — what is the difference?
A heavy jet gives you a larger cabin, a bigger party and the range for intercontinental nonstops, at a higher running cost. A super midsize is the better value across Europe and the Middle East; the heavy jet earns its premium on transatlantic legs and fuller cabins.
Which heavy jet is best?
There is no single best — it depends on the trip. The Challenger 650 offers the widest cabin, the Gulfstream G550 flies the longest legs, and the Legacy 650 gives the most cabin and baggage for the running cost. We recommend the right tail once we know your route and party.